Board Summary 11-Feb-2014

In a continuing effort toward creating a collaborative culture, please find a summary of Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting. This is being forwarded to all employees and parents/community via e-communications.

This is merely a summary and not to be perceived as official board minutes.

At the February 11, 2014 meeting of the Scott County Board of Education, Superintendent Patricia Putty recognized teachers who have recently earned the distinction of National Board Certification. Recognized for their accomplishment by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Lori Bergman, Garth Elementary School; Whitney Brewer, Scott County Ninth Grade School; Rachel Johnson; Scott County Gifted & Talented; and Brent Merritt, Scott County High School, make 37 total Nationally Board Certified Teachers in Scott County.

Superintendent Putty then praised the efforts of staff and volunteers from Eastern, Garth, and Lemons Mill elementary schools. These schools displayed their commitment to students by delivering food to homes during inclement weather. Many students receive backpacks weekly filled with food. With school cancellation, the Family Resource Centers, along with devoted staff and family members, showed compassion and commitment as they visited students in need.

Local business owner shared information about the VEX Robotics program which motivated his donation to benefit the team at Royal Spring Middle School. The donation was later approved by the Scott County Board of Education.

In other business, Principal Lori Beth Mays and staff members from Lemons Mill Elementary provided an overview of the first 100 days at the new school during the school/board dialogue. The school focuses on collaboration, celebration, and communication, in support of the Board’s vision. The design of the facility promotes student engagement and encourages student learning. Parents present commented on how the many innovative lessons at LME extend to the home. The school has been intentional to build trust and relationships with students during the first 100 days and looks forward to the opening of Phase II in August 2014.

The Scott County Board of Education approved items in the following categories as presented: minutes, donations, fundraisers, grants, surplus, and fees. In discussion about the use of common carriers, the Board received an update of how the procedure has evolved to include constant communication with the Director of Transportation to make use of school buses for student transport when available and feasible congruent with Board policy. The respective policy received a second reading and was approved by the Board, with suggested changes from legal counsel.

Members voted to approve a pay supplement for the Bass Fishing team coach to be hired. Bass Fishing was recently sanctioned as a high school athletic program. The Scott County Board of Education voted to hold Scott County High School graduation at the Frankfort Convention Center again this year. District employees are in communication with the venue to schedule graduation. The facility offers a considerable cost savings to the district, when compared with other available resources.

The Board voted to alter the school calendar to make March 21, 2014 an instructional day, as approved by Central Kentucky Education Association (CKEA). Primary Election Day, May 20, 2014, will be used as a collaborative day for staff but, by statute, students cannot attend school on this day. The Board agreed to consider all options but delay further decisions regarding the calendar until the threat of inclement weather has passed.

In other business, the Board voted to approve non-resident contracts for the 2014-2015 school year. This provision includes the children of school employees who leave outside Scott County but attend Scott County Schools. Superintendent Putty then shared the structure and mandatory make-up of the newly convened Local Planning Commission (LPC) and members voted to approve the three community/business representatives who submitted a letter of interest.

The Scott County Board of Education will hold a Work Session on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at 6:00pm at the Great Crossing Office Complex.